Sanilac County man arraigned on felony breaking and entering charges

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, November 2, 2009

SANILACCOUNTY— A Peck man was arraigned on felony charges Friday following a breaking and entering at Johnston’s Meat Market in Peck on Oct. 28.

Jeffrey Jacob Schaefer, 18, of Peck, was arraigned on multiple felony counts, including breaking and entering a building, arson of personal property under $20,000, unlawful driving away an automobile, and felony larceny.

Schaefer remains in custody on a $5,000 cash bond, pending his preliminary examination in district court.

According to a press release from the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Brad Thompson initiated the investigation at the meat market located at 4470 S. Sandusky Road.

The incident reportedly occurred sometime during the evening hours on Oct. 27 and was discovered when the store was opened on the morning of Oct. 28.

Several items inside the store, including some cash, had been taken.

Sanilac County Sheriff Garry Biniecki reports tracks located by investigators indicated a single suspect gaining entry to the business.

Also investigated during this time frame by Peck Police and the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Detective Bureau was the theft of a 2001 Dodge Caravan from the village limits of Peck.

The victim of the car theft also reported that there was a golf cart left at the roadside by the residence.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office, Peck Police and the Sanilac County Drug Task Force were able to piece the three events together as a continuation of a small crime spree. Information gathered resulted in a suspect and later apprehension of an 18-year-old male from Peck.

According to the release, the stolen auto was recovered in a field located at the corners of Harneck and Walker roads in Sanilac Township. The suspect had attempted to burn the vehicle after it became stuck in a soft farm field. Evidence found in the van led police to a house in the 6800 block of Walker Road where the male suspect was arrested.

The golf cart left by the suspect in Peck was later traced down to victims in the 6700 block of Jordan Road in Speaker Township.

Biniecki reports the owners were unaware that the golf cart had been removed from the residence during the night prior.

“It appears from statements made that he was trying to get transportation to see a female acquaintance in another county,” said Biniecki. “The thefts culminated a week of other incidents and emotional struggles the teen was facing. The investigation is continuing and a 15-year-old juvenile male from Peck may also have involvement in the incident involving the golf cart.”

Biniecki said: “It was solid, decisive police work, along with strong cooperation with both local citizens and area law enforcement agencies, that brought a quick solution to this string of crimes.”